Yachts Asia

Between Bali and the Lesser Sunda so many different activities are possible - from climbing rugged mountains and peering into active volcano craters, or trekking through forests and bathing under beautiful waterfalls, or visiting rural villages, or simply relaxing in idyllic bays and exploring pristine beaches. To top it all off visitors to this region can experience TRULY world-class scuba diving, and world class surfing.

However, it is Komodo, a UNESCO World Heritage island, that is the centre of attention. Komodo itself is known for its giant, carnivorous lizards known as the Komodo Dragon.

From the park headquarters guides can lead you along the many hiking trails to safely spot the komodo dragon and also wild horses, water buffalo, wild boar and monkeys, set in a spectacular scenery of rolling savannah and emerald coves.

As if that wasn't enough, another excellent reason to go cruising in this region is for the opportunity to visit Bali, regularly voted the world's best island by the readers ofTravel & Leisure magazine.

SAMPLE ITINERARY: BALI AND BEYOND

Embarkation: Bali
Disembarkation: Labuanbajo
Duration: 7 days
Optional Activities: Scuba Diving, Spa/Massage, Trekking
Note: Keen divers can begin their cruises from Labuan Bajo, on the door step of the Komodo National Park. With enough time scuba diving trips here can also encompass Maumere (Flores island) and some spectacular sites in Alor.
Recommended Yachts: Silolona, Raja Laut, El Aleph, S/Y Asia

Day 1: Bali - Embarkation in Serangan. After sailing into the Lombok Straits, with views of the majestic Agung volanco, the vessel settles on an easterly course to arrive at the Gili Islands, northwest Lombok. The Gili islands have suberb white sand beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving.

Day 2: The uninhabited island of Satonda is separated by a narrow strait from the Tambora volcano on the Sumbawa mainland, the site of the largest eruption in recorded history. Satonda itself is a small volcano and a salty lake fills its crater. At sunset one can enjoy the spectacle of a large colony of fruit eating giant bats flying over.

Day 3: Sangean island is an active volcano towering 1800 meters above the surrounding water. Here one can stop to visit the tiny settlement on the island and swim in crystal-clear waters. Opposite the island of Sangean, on the Sumbawa mainland is the village of Wera, a Buginese village known for boatbuilding. Here one can see all kinds of craft in various stages of construction, including the "Phinisi" trading ships of Indonesia.

Day 4: Gili Banta is the first of the islands in the Komodo Archipelago. This island provides a crescent shaped bay that offers a beautiful anchorage from where you can jump into turquoise water and swim to the white sandy beach. The islands of Gili Lawa Laut, on the northeast tip of Komodo, are another stunning location for anchoring, with beautiful moon-scape scenery, fantastic little bays and beaches, and the best dive sites of the entire Komodo National Park.

Day 5: Unesco World Heritage site, Komodo Island is famous for the local inhabitants: giant lizard known as the Komodo Dragon. One can go hiking and looking for the 'dragons', and also wild horses, water buffalo, wild boar, and monkeys in spectacular scenery of savannah and emerald coves. Climb up a local summit and one can enjoy a splendid panorama over the moon-scape islands of the Komodo Archipelago.
Red beach, directly across the bay from Komodo village, has a unique pink-red coloured sand. The colour of the sand is caused by pulverised fragments of the red coral species.

Day 6: The serene anchorage of Labuanbajo is the main arrival point for visitors into the Komodo National Park. Here one can make a tour to a nearby village where, if the time is right, one can attend the 'whip-fight dance' ceremonies. Unique to the Manggarai people of West Flores is a dance called the "caci"- a whip and shield duel. This fascinating display of dance and war is never over until blood is drawn and these warriors wear their lacerations with pride, as they are the marks of bravery.

Day 7: After your breakfast a private car will be on hand to take you to the Labuanbajo airport for a return flight to Bali.
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Best time to go: The Lesser Sunda Islands are a year round cruising destination.

Ports of Embarkation/Disembarkation: Bali, or Labuan Bajo

How to get there: Fly directly to Bali from Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth.